Apparatus for separating mixed gases.



G. J. A. FIESSE. APPARATUS FOR SEPABATING MIXED GASES.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT; 18, 1907.

Patented Sept. 7, 1909. 3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

War/o" G. J. A. FIESSE. APPARATUS FOR SEPABATING MIXED GASES.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 18 1907. 933,243. Patented Sept. 7, 1909.

s SHEETS-SHEET 2.

' I 1220822502" 00/76; .Z/lfiaxse WZZnassar G. J. A. FIESSE. APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING MIXED GASES.

- APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 18, 1907. 933,243.-

Patented Sept. 7, 1909.-

HEET 3.

o a e D58 9 fv lzfor I? vfaz/faq/4flan CHARLES J. A. FIESSE, 'OF WASHINGTQN,'DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING MIXED GASES.

Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed September 18, 1 907. Serial No. 893,557.

Patented Sept. 7, 1909.

To all whom it may concern: 3 Be it known that I, CHARLES J. A. Finssn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Washington, in the District of Columbia,

have invented certain new and usefulim-p provements in Apparatus for Separating Mixed Gases; and I do hereby declare the following to be .afull, clear, and exact 'de-' scription of theinvention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The broad object of this invention is to segregate or separate the constituent elements of any compound or gaseous mixture susceptible of treatment by the present apparatus, such, for instance, as water gas, when the CO has'been converted, by suitable means,.into CO, to insure the solubility of;the CO into water; or the combustion product issuing out of the cylinder of a gas engine, or of a furnace when it is desired to obtain the CO for subsequent treatment; or blast furnace-or producer gas, when it isdesired to segregate or separate the nitrogen, or part of the nitrogen, in order to obtain either a gas richer in CO'an'd poorer in N than the gas from which it is derived, or toobtain What I call superoxygenated air,

. that is air richer in O and poorer in N than atmospheric air.

As a further object, my invention provides an improved apparatus or machine for collecting the gaseous mixture which is to be separated, and delivering itunder pressure in puffs or pulsations, The main purpose of delivering the gas in pufisor pulsations is to cause its in ection into a liquid, either water or water solution, or a suitable liquefied substance, as for instance hot lard, which dissolves four times ,as much nitrogen as w nter, in such manner as to form bubbles which will promote the effectual separation of the gaseous mixture.

As a further ob ect, my lnv'ention provides an improved apparatus for blowing or delivering the gas underpressure' and in putts or pulsations, and also effecting when desired a partial segregation of the elements of the gas'prior to delivery to the liquid in which the final separation of the gaseous mixture is'to take place. In this apparatus, the puflin or pulsating of the gaseous mixture is utilized as a partial agent in the segpulsations, thereby formin regation of the constituent elements of mixed gas. i

As a further object, my invention provides an improved hydraulic separator, in

which the mixed gas is injected ,in putts-or bubbles in the water or' liquid, as aforesaid. In thishydraulic separator the segregation of the gaseous mixture takes place.

As a further. obj ect,'my invention provides an improved exhauster and blower, which is practically a pumping apparatus, and which is utilized as the blower for delivering the gaseous mixture under pressure, or forcing it through the instrumentality which causes the pulsations of the gaseous mixture; while a similar exhaus'ter and blower, without the pulsating attachment, is also utilized for pumping liquid in the hydraulic separating apparatus.

In regard to the preliminary segregation of agaseous mixture in whichthe component gases differ, to a certain extent, in their respective density it has been proven by experiment that the rapid, intermittent interruption of the passage of a mixture of gases through a confined space, such as a pipe or conduit, through which the mixed gas is forced under pressure, has a tendency to separate the mixture into its elemental cdnstituents. This principle I have utilized, in one of the apparatuses comprised in this invention, in effecting a partial separation of the gases in order to reduce, when desired,

the work to be done by the hydraulic separator. v t

In the final segregation of a gaseous mixture, I have made use of the'principle that when a gas is in contact with a liquid on which it has no chemical action, said gas is absorbed by the liquid in amount which is proportional to its particular solubility and tothe pressureunder which the gas is at the time of operation; and, in the case of a gaseous mixture, each gas is absorbed as if it alone was present, that is, as stated before, in proportion to its own particular solubility in the liquid in use, and to the pressure under which the gas at the time of operation. But if the gaseous mixture to be separated is a mixture obtained from the production of water-gas, it should first preferably be passed through a suitable converter 2 it is dissolvable in water. ture is then passed through the apparatus (notincluded in the present invention) in order to change the carbonic-oxid therein into carbon-d'ioxid or carbonic-acid gas, this being necessary in order that the said carbonicoxid may be rendered in a condition in which The gaseous mixfor pumping or forcing it under pressure to the subsequent machines in the system, and to give it a series of pulsations as: will hereinafter appear. This second apparatus may effect a partial separation of the gas by means of the before mentioned process of interrupting its progress.

The final step of separation of the gaseous mixture is performed by hydraulic action and the chemical dissolution of one of the component gases-1n the liquid, as previously inentioned- In this pro'cess, globules or bubbles of the gaseous mixture are introduced in a downwardly rushing column of liquid,

by which they are carried down, the segregated or first component gas separating and collecting in a lower chamber, and the other component gas, which dissolves in the liquid, being carried off to a point where the pressure of the column of liquid behind is taken 011, thus releasing the other componentclement in gaseous state.

The process carried on in the system of apparatus described has economy for its ob ject. By my present method, large quantities of segregated gas can be pumped and stored for various uses with comparatively a small outlay, a thing much sought after,

but heretofore impracticable and involving heavy expense. As is well known, water at ordinary pressure will dissolve its own volume of carbon-dio'xid, and for each increased atmosphere of pressure will absorb another volume of'such gas. It is also known that many substances, such for instance as lard. particularly if liquefied, absorb several times as much nitrogen gas as water. This fact I have taken advantage of in the present process.

Without limiting myself to the specific-apparatus herein illustrated, which is susceptible of various modifications in details of construction and arrangement of parts, the invention will hereinafter be fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings which form a partof this specification, and then more particularly pointed out in the appended claims. v

In said drawings: Figure 1 is a longitudinal central vertical section of the blower and pulsator. Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-section taken through the chamber A of Fig. 1. Fig. 3'is a vertical cross-section. through the revolving drum of the exhauster and blower, shown in the chamber B of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a face view of the disk 23 of Fig. 1.

. Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of the revolving fan blower. Fig. 6 is an enlarged detailsectional View of a part of the blower. Fig. 7 is a detail perspective view of the spiral rib or flange ofthe blower. Fig. 8 is a detail perspective view of a reciprocating closure plate, constituting an element of the blower. Fig. 9 is a central vertical section of another form of blower and pulsator, embodying therein means for effecting a preliminary partial separation of the gaseous mixture by the mechanical action of pulsations and interruptions. Fig. 10 is an end view of a conical drum contained in the apparatus shown in Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is a side elevation of said conical drum. Fig. 12 is a front elevation of a detail part. Fig. 13 is a vertical sectional view of the hydraulic apparatus for segregating the component elements of the gaseous mixture by means of the dissolution of one of the component elements in a suitable liquid. Fig. 14 is a detail view of a section of the perforated pipe from which the gaseous mixture is injected into the water, producing bubbles.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, the apparatus therein illustrated comprises what 1 term a blower and pulsator. Said blower and pulsator consists of three casings or sec-' tions a, b and a, so fastened together as by bolting or riveting to intervening plates or partitions as to form three main chambers or compartments A, B and C, which communicate with one another in a manner to be'hereinafterspecified. The end plates and partitions between said chambers may be downwardly extended to constitute supports or legs for the machine. Extending. centrally of the length of the machine, and journaled at both ends in bearings provided therefor, is a shaft D provided with}? pulley d by which motion may be trans! itted to said shaft.

*flhecompartment or chamber A is desirably cylindrical in form and has for its end walls or partitions the plates (1 and 72'.

Said chamber or-compartment is in communication with any suitable source, as a converter or generator. for supplying the mixture of carbon-dioxid and hydrogen, or other gaseous mlxture which 1s to be separated; said mixture being admitted into the chamberA, for example, through the pipe or conduit 1. At its lower end, the chamber has been imparted the aforesaid pulsations, is conducted by a suitable pipe or conduitto the hydraulic apparatus for separating the hydrogen from the carbon-dioxid or the nitrogen from the carbon-(bond, when treating exhaust gas, or any other suitable gas,-' eons mixture.

\Vithin'the compartment or-chamber B,

' mounted on the power-drii'en' shaft 1), is the blower, which ateach revolution exhausts a "an annular plate or partition 6 Between the partition plate 7) and the adjacent plate 7; is an annular o'il-clnu-aber 5, to which a supply of oil may be fed by a pipe 6. The

passage 4, for conducting the gaseous mix;

ture from chamber A to chamber B, extends through said annular oil-chamber, the purpose of which latter will presently appear. Inasmuch as the blower 1n chamber B at each revolution sucks in a volume of gas from chamber A and delivers it into chain ber B,'it is obvious that the chamber of the able gear.

blower must be alternately in communicatron with chamber A and chamber B; and

hence it is necessary that the passage igfrom chamber A to chamber B should be intermittently closed at-the moment when the blower has completed the drawing in of its supply o-f'gas, and while it is delivering such supply into the chamber B, preliminary to taking inanother supply from chamber A. The intermittent closure of said passage 1 is performed by a revolving fan-likc sh-utter '7, shown mounted on astub or axle 8 extending from the artition plate I), the-shutter being. driven mm the main shaft 1) by a sprocket-chain 9, or any suit- By reference to Fig. 2, it will be seen that at each revolution of the shaft, the shutter 7 passes over and closes fora brief interval the opening into the passage 4. In

order to effect a tight closure of the a'ssage 4, as the shutter 7 passes thereover, said shutter 7 preferably rides on concentric circular ribs or flanges 10 formed on the plate 6. These concentric flanges 10 bound the opening 4 at two opposite sides, and at the other two opposite sides said opening 4 is bounded. by. intervening or cross-ribs or flanges 11 of thesame projection of theflanges 10. Hence, as the shutter 7 passes over the opening 9, it bears closely upon the flanges 10 and 11, thus effecting a perfect closure of said opening, and a cessation of the flow of thegaseous mixture from chamber A to chamber B; this cessation of communication betweenthe two chambers being for only a small interval of the time of complcte revolution of the main shaft D. Below thechamber A; is a semi-circular or crescent-like housing 12, constituting an extensionv of the chamber A and housing the shutter during a part of its revolution.-

The exhauster and blower proper, or'r'evolving pump member, whereby the gaseous mixture is pumped from the chamber A into the chamber it, is a wheel-like structure mounted upon the shaft D Within the chamber B. Said structure may comprise a suitable' hub with radiating arms or spokes 13, and concentric cylindrical shells 14 and 15, the inner shell 14 being fastened on the spokes, while the outer shell 15 is spaced from and connected to the inner shell by,

means of an intermediate spiral blade or flange 16, which is -fastened to both of said shells. As shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the spiral blade or flange 16 comprises slightly more than a single convolution and its forward end 16* (which end is the one nearer the chamber A) has extending therefrom two rods'17, extending obliquelyto and connected with a point on the returning length of the flange.

15 have a close bearing on the annular plate If, and for this purpose said shells 14 and 15 The concentric shells 14. and

are respectively formed with annular flanges 18 grooved for engagement with annular ribs 19 on the aforesaid plate 71 and lubri cant is preferably supplied to these annular bearin 's by ducts 2'0 fromthe annular oilchamber 5, so" as to insure a frictionless -rotation of theshel ls 14 and 15 on the annular plate 6 The forward end- 16 of the spiral-blade rides closely against the said annular plate 6 as shown more clearly in Fig. 6 andfrom this forward end the aforesaid oblique rods 17 extend diagonally to the opposite or returning length of the blade. Atone side of the passage 4, a slidin plate 21 extends tl'irongh the annular oi c'ha-mber 5, working in suitable bearings,

and extends into the annular space between the: concentric shells 14 and 15' of the blower.- Sard slide or plate 21, wl rrcli of-the same width as the blade 16, is constantly pressed toward and bears against said spiral blade, as shown in. Figs. 5' and ti. The pressure for forcing the slide against the blade may be imparted by weighted lever-arnis 22.

The direction of revolution of the exhauster and blower is as indicated by the arrows in the drawings, the'spiral flange 16 being thereby caused to revolve toward its forward end 16 which end passes the spring 'pressed'slid'e' or gate 21 before it passes over the passage In other words, the aforesaid slide 21? so located as mine behind the end- 16 of the spiral blade, and also behind the passage- 4 afterthe said forward end 16*" of the blade haspassed said passage 1. The operation of the said exhauster and blower, in conjunction with thesa'id revolubl'e' shutter &

7 is as follows: It willbe noted that the spiral blade 16 provides a spiral channel between said blade and the adjacent annular 10 16 is caused to revolve with its inner forward end 16 in close contact with the plate 6 i'kssuming the parts" to be in a relative position shown in Fig. 6, it will be observed that at this phase of the movement the revolving shutter 7 closes the opening or passage 4 so that no communication can be had at this time between the chamber A and the spiral channel between the blade 16 and plate b and the forward'end16" of the spiral blade 20 is just about to approach the passage 4, the

slide plate 21 of course pressing againstthe blade. In thisflposition of the parts, the

volume of gaseous mixture exhausted from the chamber A at the preceding revolution 25 discharges into the chamber B, through the now open end of the spiral channel, which 0 en end is crossed by the oblique rods 17.

ow, when the forward end 16 of the spiral blade 16 crosses the opening 4, the shutter 7 is displaced, and communication is established between the chamber A and the space formed between the spiral blade and the annular plate 12 the back end of such s ace being closed by the slide plate 21. uch

space, of course, constantly increases in capacity as the revolution continues, thus causing exhaustion or sucking of gaseous mixture from the chamber A. When the continued revolution of the spiral blade 16 40 brings the oblique rods 17 against the slide 21 (at which moment the shutter 7 again closes the passage 4) the gaseous mixture drawn from the chamber A can escape past the rods 17 and the outer end 16 of the spiral blade into the chamber B, from whence it is forced by the continued storing of gas therein into the chamber 0. This completes a cycle of movement of the blower and of course the operation above described is repeated at each revolution of the shaft D.

,As aforesaid pulsations are imparted to the gaseous fluid in' assing from chamber B into chamber 0, an the means for that purpose will now 'bedescribed. Separating chamber B from chamber 0 is a doublewalled partition, composed of two plates 0'', 0 between which issnugly but revolubl mounted a disk 23 rigidly-keyed on the sha D. In said disk 23v is an annular series of 4 segmental slots or openings 24 preferably so placed that the spaces between the slots or openings are longer than the openings, which latter are adapted to register at intermittent periods during the revolutions of 6 the disk with similar slots or. openings 25 in the partition-plates c and 0. These slots or openings, which cause the ra id intermittent interruption of the forced ischar e of the gaseous mixture from the chamber thereby give a series of puflfs or pulsations to the gas. The slots or openings may be of any suitable number, thou h I have found six openings to give satis actory results in this apparatus. The compartment or chamber C 1s formed by the annular space between the conical casings and an inside cone 0, both of which cones are suitably fastened to the partition 0 and are also provided with a suitable support or standard 26. The conical chamber 0 between the said cones 0, c confronts the slots or openings 24,25 in the double -walled partition 0', c and said chamber is of sufiicient capacity to receive the mixed gases delivered from the chamber B through the ulsating disk 23, and allow their being con ucted therefrom by the discharge pipe or conduit 27, which latter is rovided'with a cock or valve 28. The efect of these pulsations is to deliver the gaseous mixture to the hydraulic separator m a condition more readily adapted for forming bubbles, as previously explained. Within and without the circle of the segmental slots or openings 24, the disk 23 is provided on either side with concentric annular it ribs or flanges 29 which bear in corresponding grooves in the partitions a and 0 thereby aiding in renderin a snug joint to prevent leakage of gas, an to provide firm bearings of the disk, with the necessary lubricant to insure perfect working of said disk in its bearings.

As an incidental feature of the apparatus, the disk 23 is or may be keyed to the shaft D as to be easily released, so that if it is desired to use the apparatus merely as an exhauster and blower, without the pufling or pulsating effects, the disk can be released from its rigid connection with the shaft D and held stationary by means of a'latch or lever 30, shown attached to the top of the casing, which latch or lever can be dropped into a notch 30 (Fig. 4) in the periphery of the disk, thereby bringing the openings in said disk and in the partition-plates into registration.

It may be well to summarize the operation of the blower and pulsator as follows: In operation, the gaseous mixture is admitted to the apparatus from a generator or converter (not shown), or from any suitable source of supply, by means of the pipe or conduit 1. being first introduced into chamber A. Power transmitted to the shaft D by any suitable means revolves at their proper speeds the shutter 7, the blower (comprising concentric shells '14, 15 and spiral blade 16), andthe pulsator disk 23. The shutter as it revolves closes the passage or open ng 4 for a short period in each revolution. At each of these periods the relative positions of the shutter 7 and spiral blade 16 is as indicated in Fig. (i. That is, when the shutter 7 closesthe opening, the forward end 16 of the spiral blade or flange to. hearing against plate is just approachmgthe opening or port 4, beside which the reciprocating slide 21 operates, forcing said slide to the outward limit of its travel. As the shutter 7 moves from over the port 4,

' the spiral-blade revolves in the direction of the arrow, as indicated in Fig. 6, thereby carrying the forward end of the spiral flange beyond the said port, and admitting a supply of gas or gaseous mixture between said end and the reciprocating slide 21, which continually keeps its rear end in contact with the said spiral flange through the pressure exerted by the weighted levers 22, so that the size of the inclosed space thus made is constantly increasing, causing exhaust of gas from the chamber A. When the drum and spiral have revolved until the slide 21 begins to travel over the oblique rods 17, the shutter 7 again closes the opening 4 to avoid any back-pressure of the gas held in the spiral channel, said gas being allowed to escape between the guides or rods 17 into the chamber B. The above described operation completes one cycle of movement of the blower drum and shutter; the rapid I repetition of this operation causes an exhaust of the gas from the chamber full) chamber B, and against the pulsator-disk 23. As heretofore explained, the gaseous mixture. is discharged or blown from chamber through the slots or elongated open ings 25. 24 in the partitions c and c and in the disk 23, as the two series of openings come into registration, in the course of the revolutions of the disk. The gas is thereby given a rapid series of pulsations as it passes through the chamber C and out by way of the outlet-pipe 27 into the next apparatus.

In Figs. 9 to 12 inclusive, Iv have illustrated another form of blower and pulsator, which apparatus includes means for effecting a partial separation of the gaseous mixture into its constituent elements by the mechanical action by the pulsations imparted to the gas and also interruptions of the flow of the gas. In other words, the function of this apparatus is to blow. the gaseous mixture and impart the desired pulsations thereto, like the apparatus shown in Fig. 1. and also to make an initial separation of the gaseous mixture. This partially separated gaseous mixture is then delivered by the outlet pipe into the next a paratus of the system. that is thehydrauhc separator which finally effects the separation of the gaseous mixture. Referring more particularly to Fig. 9, the apparatus is substantially similar in general construction and operation to that already described with reference to Fig. 1, except in the particulars hereinafter mentioned. Said apparatus is composed of three chambers E, F and G, whose general arrangement and conformation are similar to that of the exhauster and pulsator heretofore described. Chamber E is or may 2 be identical in construction and operation with chamber A disclosed in Fig. 1. It contains the shutter 7 for intermittently closing the passage 4 into chamber F. Chamber F, -with its internal arrangements, is similar to chamber B of Fig. 1 with the following excaptions, namely, the revolving exhauster and blower drum 31, While substantially the same as in Fig. 1, has rigidly fastened at its rear side, by means of solid flanges, an annular chamber 32, which chamber is in reality an enlarged extension of the spiral chamber formed by the concentric shells of the drum.

is fastened to and closed by a disk or plate 33, which is keyed on thecentral driving shaft H, and bears against a stationary plate or disk 34, which forms a partition between the chambers F and G. The said rotary disk 33 has, leading out-from the annular chamber 32, an annular series of slots or openings 35, which form outlets for the passage of the gas,- and register with or eonfront at intervals during the revolutions of tionary partition-plate 34, 'as in the case of the series of slots or openings describedwith reference to the apparatus shown in Fig. .1. The chamber G" is conical in form,

and 36, said standard also carrying the hearing for one end of the shaft H.

Mounted on the shaft H, by means of disks or plates 37 and 38. are two interarranged or concentric shells 39 and 40 of frusto-conical shape, said shells 39 and 40 being mounted so as to leave an annular space or chamber between them. The disk 37. which supports the larger ends of the shells 39 and 40, is of a similar construction to the disk 33; it may be rigidly aflixed to the stationary partition-plate 34, and is pro- Vided with a series of segmental slots or openings 41 which register with the ports or openings'in the partition-plate 34; so that there will be a communicatlon between chambers 32 and 42 when the segmental slots 41 in the rotary disk 33 register with the slots in the stationary partition-plate 34 and disk 37. At the opposite or smaller ends of the cones 39 and 40, their supportmg disk 38 is affixed to a smaller stationary partition-plate or disk 43, which is mounted nearthe middle of the conical chamber G. Said stationary plate 43 and disk 38 are also provided with registering segmental holes or openings, similar to those in the disks 33 and 37 and in the partition-plate 34. On

The opposite end of said annular chamber 32 a said disk a similar series of holes in the stathe opposite side of the plate 43, the conical -and is socketed at its smaller end in a standpering or conical shell 44 into two concenvolving frusto-conical chamber 42 through smaller end said conical shell 44 is journaled said shells are not in registration, and vicefversa.

' latter being keyed on shaft H .and bearing subchamber 46 may be conducted to an out ber 42 into the subchamber 45 are led off by and plate 43, respectively, bear such relation chamber G is subdivided by-means of a tatric subchambers 45 and the outer one 45' of which forms practically an extension of the main chamber G, communicating therewith by means of openings or ports in the plate 43; while the inner subchamber 46 communicates with the interior of the re the periodically-arrested passages provided by the slots or openings in the partitionplate 43 and disks 38, 47. The said subdividing cone44, which is revoluble, is supported at its larger end by the disk 47, the

against the partition-plate 43; while at its on the shaft-bearing 48. Through apertures 49 in said bearing 48, the gases in the let-pipe 50. Gases introduced from chant.

means of a pipe 51, shown provided with a cockor valve 51. The holes in the disk 47 to those in the larger disks 33 and bearingplate 34, with regard to their relative times of registrationfthat when the series of open: ings at the larger end of the frusto-conical shells 39 and 40 are in registration, the series of openings at the opposite or smaller end of As shown in Figs. 9, 10, 11, large sections of the frusto-conical shell 40 are cut away, said sections being replaced by curved screens of porous material 52, adapted to allow the passage therethrough of lighter gas under pressure. While the above mentioned porous material may be of any suitable composition, I have found a satisfactory and preferable composition to be composed of porcelain and pulverized asbestos. Thus when a gaseous mixture is periodically injected into the frusto-conical shell 40, this action 'will precipitate said gas gainst the sides of said shell and consequently a ainst the porous screens 52, throu h whic the lighter gas of the mixture Wlll be filtered, while the heavier gas is retained in said shell and disposed of through the openings in the disks 38, 47 and intervening plate 43. The discharge outlets 50 and 51 for the separated gases are provided with suitable cocks or valves 50 and 51 for cutting off the apparatus from thesucceeding parts of the system. Oil cups 53 may be provided for. the proper lubrication of the various bearings. The operation of this apparatus (Fig. 9) is as follows: After the machine is set in motion by power applied to the pulley on shaft H, a gaseous mixture admitted at inlet port 55 into chamber E is exhausted from said chamber E by the revolving exhauster and blower 3 1, as in the apparatus shown in Fig. 1. By the action of the-exhauster and blower 31 the gas is projected by way of the annular chamber 32 through the intermittently opened ports into the chamber 42 of the frusw-conical shell 40, thus receiving a series of puifs or pulsations. It will be remembered, however, that at the instants at which the ports 35 of disk 33 are opened to introduce gas into the chamber 42, the openings in the disks 47 at the opposite end are closed, so that as the gas is receiving a series of rapid pushes from be- -hind, it -is also receiving a corresponding series of interruptions from ahead. The consequence of these interruptions is to cause a partial separation of the gases by reason of the different specific. gravities of the con-' stituent gases, and to give to the subsequent passage of the partially separated elements a jerky movement. Through the porous screens 52 the lighter gas, together with a certain small percentage of the heavier gas, is filtered, to be conducted of]? through chamber G and subchamber 45 to outlet pipe 51, to be supplied to the hydraulic separating apparatus; while, for instance, the carbonicacid gas, containing a certain small percentage of hydrogen, is issued from the rotating chamber 42 through the intermittently registering apertures in disks 38, 47 and plate 43 to-the annular subchamber 46, where it is carried off by means of the outlet pi e 50 to be allowed to escape or to be utilize for any desired purpose.

- From the foregoing, it will be noted that the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 makes no preliminary separation of the gaseous mixture, but delivers the unseparated mixtures in pufi's or pulsations, while the apparatus shown in Fig.9 effects a preliminary withdrawal of a portion of the heavier gas and delivers. the partially purified lighter gas, but still containin some of the heavier as, this being also delivered in puffs or pu sations. In both cases the gas to be purified is, under the pressure of the blower, and under the efl'ects of the pulsations imparted thereto, delivered to the hydraulic separating apparatus which performs the final ste of the process. This apparatus (Fig. 13 comprises a separating-tank, wherein the gaseous mixture is introduced into the liquid which separates it into its elements; a liquidreservoir in which the segre ated gas 001- lects prior to being conducted to a suitable storage receptacle, and which alsoholds a reserve supply of liquid, which is used repeatedly 1n the process of gas-separation; and a pumping apparatus which keeps the liquid in motion through the apparatus and under pressure at the same time.-

Referring to Fig. 13, the letter I denotes the separating tank, in the form of a standpipe erected upon and communicating with a reservoir J. Said stand-pipe or separating tank I is shown constructed of a number of flanged sections, bolted together, with 1nter-' posed metallic gaskets 56. The said gaskets 56 are constructed with'their inner diameters smaller than the regular diameter of the stand-pipe sections, so that a certain amount of the liquid in the stand-pipe will be stopped by the inwardly projecting gaskets 56 and form 7 liquid cushions, against which the downwardly flowing column of liquid, which is pumped into the 'top of said stand-pipe,

will be directed centrally rather than en-' ti'rely against the sides of the stand-pipe,

thus reducing frictional effects, to the ade vantage of the flowing speed of the liquid and consequently its separatingpower. The top of said stand-pipe I is closed by a cap 57, provided with air-vents 58, and which also affords a bearing for a vertical shaft59, Said shaft carries a hand-wheel at its upper end, and ,is provided with a screwthi'eaded lower end working in afixed female screw for the purpose of adjusting or raising and lowering said shaft by turning said hand-wheel. The said shaft 59 carries adjacent to the bottom ofthe stand-pipe a closing valve 61,- adapted to close the bottom of said stand-pipe when the apparatus is to be stopped. Said valve ()1 is shown. in the formof a conical cap, which is fitted by means of a collar on'the shaft 59, and isprovided with brace rods 62 which extend obliquely downward frdm'the periphery of the cone to another coliar 62 fastened on the shaft 59. The conical shape of the valve adapts it to more effectually break and seatter the liquid on its descent, thus allowing the segregated gas to more easily escape from the liquid. The gaseous mixture, delivered under force from the blower and pul'sator, is fed into the liquid in the stand-pipe from 'a supply pipe or conduit 63, having a series of branch-plpes 64 which pierce the sides of the stand-pipe near its top, but below the water-level, and terminate in annular tubes (35, which preferably increase in diameter from the topmost to the lowermost tube. The lower sides of said annular tubes 65 are provided with numerous small outlet ports or orifices 6 (see Fig. 1-1) which are enlarged at the outer surfaces of the tubes into cup-like depressions 67. These cup-like depressions (37 are adapted to promote or facilitate the formation of the gas into bubbles o globules.

The reservoir J, upon which the standpipe I is mounted with a short section, the latter projecting into said reservoir, is a large tank, preferably of comparatively large horizontal area and a small depth. Rising from said tank are outlet pipes-68 and 69, which are provided witlicocks or controlling valves 68? and 69 The pipe 68 is to permit escape of air when the apparatus is first set in operation. The other pipe (39 conducts off the segregated gas which collects in the top of the reservoir J above the water level. Said tank J is further provided with an upright conduit or pipe K, which extends through a flanged opening 70 in the top to the bottom of the reservoir J where it is pro-vided with openings 71 through which the liquid is passed from the reservoir J. Said conduit K is provided near its top with a starting pipe 72 extending vertically upward and terminating in a funnel 73, to receive the liquid to fill the apparatus for starting. A cock or valve 7 2 in the pipe 7 2- provides for cutting off communication. Said conduit K smaller than the stand-pipe I and is preferably built up of several flanged sections, similar to those used in constructing the stand-pipe, the bolted joints being also provided with the inwardly projecting gaskets hereinbefore described. The conduit K is further provided near its head witlr a pipe 76, whose purpose is to convey the liquid from the conduit to the pumping apparatus ,7

L. The functionof thepump is to keep the liquid in constant circulation through .the

apparatus, introducing it at the head of the stand-pipe I and exhausting it through con duit- K. Said pumping apparatus L is constructed as a combination of two exhaustcrand-blowers of the kind shown in Fig.1. be ing adapted in this instance, however, to pump liquid instead of a gaseous mixture.

- There'is a medial chamber 7 5, commonto the two pumps or blowers. Into this chamber 75.

the pipe 7 6 empties. Said chamber 75 is also provided with a funnel 77 for initially filling the apparatus; said funnel being provided with a cap or closure. At opposite sides of said chamber 75 are pump-chambers 78, 78, each containing a rotary pump-drum 74 of the character described with reference to Fig. 1. each'having concentric shells with intervening spiral flange or blade, operating in conjunction with the same revolving shutter. slide-plate, ctc., already fully, described; said pump-drums being mounted on a driveshaft M. The liquid after being pumped from the common chamber 75 into the opposite chambers 78,'78 is ejected by way of out lets 79, 79 and feed-pipe 80 into the upper end of the stand-pipe I. A damper or valve 81 providesv for cutting off communication between the stand-pipe I and the -pumping screwed up .by means of the hand-wheel on shaft 59, closing the bottom of said standpipe. The stand-pipe is then filled with liquid through the top 57 and the tank J and pipe K are supplied with liquid through the feed pipe 7 The pumping apparatus L is also supplied with liquid. or primed through the funnel 77-. As liquid is introduced into the tank J, through the openings 71 in the bottom of the pipe K, the air contained in said tank collects at the top, thus maintaining a certain initial pressure before the apparatus is started. The apparatus is now in a condition to be started. Thevalve 81 is opened and the pumping apparatus L .top of said stand-pipe, a constantly falling :column is mamtamed; the same liquid being utilized repeatedly, makinga circuit through the apparatus. Afterthe liquid has begun to regularly flow orfall through the standpipe, the valve 68 is temporarily opened to allow escape of air from the tank J, the air being replaced by the collection of the segregated gas. When the latter collects in sufficient volume, the valve in the gas-outlet pipe 69 is opened, the valve in the air-escape pipe 68 now being closed.

It will be remembered that the gaseous mixture pumped from the blower'andpulsator has imparted thereto a series of rapid puffs or pulsations; consequently, as the gas 1s injected into the liquid, from the small ports or orifices 66, it forms in numerous bubbles These bubbles are carrieddownward by the rapid descent of said column of liquid, during which one of the component elements ofthe gaseous mixture becomes dissolved and absorbed by the liquid, freeing the other component element of the gaseous mixture, which remaining in the liquid as free bubbles of the segregated gas are still carried along thereby until the column of liquid is broken by the conical valve 61, when the bubbles of the segregated gas are allowed to escape and collect in the upper part of tank or reservoir J in a compressed state, since itis evident that a gas taken hold of by a column of descending liquid, and carried downward thereby will be subjected to the constantly increasing compression atforded by the column of liquid behind it. \Vhen a suiiicient volume of the segregated gas has been compressed and stored in the tank J to maintain the pressure exerted by the air which was initially held therein, the said air is allowed to escape by opening the valve 68 in the outlet-pipe'68 long enough to get rid of all such air, whereupon said valve is again closed, and the valveGS) in outlet pipe .69 is opened to allow the segregated; gas to flow into a storage tank therefor as if is separated from the other component element of the gaseous mixture. The

as long-as pressure is exerted on the liquid in the tank J, and while it is being again pumped through-the exhausterL, is allowed to escape as said pressure is removed as the liquid issues again into the top of standpipe I.- Here the dissolved component gas is freed from the liquid and allowed to escape into the atmospherethrough the. Vent: 58, for provision may be made to store said gas for any use to which it may be adapted, by carrying it out through pipe 82. By repeating the operation several times, that is passing the gas mixture issuing out of the reservoir J through outlet pipe 69, in the blower and pulsator, and injecting it anew into the falling column of liquid in the hydraulic compressor, a mixture containing 75 per cent.- or more, oxygen. if treating atmos pheric air, or 75 per cent., or more, GO, if treating producer gas or blast furnace gas, could be obtained with the same apparatus, each operation depriving the gaseous mixture of part of the remaining nitrogen gas.

It is noted that the hydraulic apparatus of Fig. 13 constitutes also a gas compressor; the globules of gas being sucked down by the downwardly-flowing liquid-column in the stand-pipe I, and escaping or separating from the liquid in the subjacent tank J an collecting in the top of said tank under the pressure of the liquid column; so that the supply of segregated gas is stored under compression. The segregated gas, which is produced by this method is also valuable for its coolness and dryness. smce the compresslon of said gas has the efi'ect of extracting therefrom all undesirable moisture, and does not send off the in a heated condition .as in the case. of ordinary generators or producers.

It will be understood that the apparatus may be used forthe segregation of many gaseous mixtur'es. It also has a further .utility as an apparatus for supplying a gas supplied under force or pressure and having the aforesaid pulsations imparted thereto,

which facilitates the formation of the air the tank J and collect in the top of said tank,

thus being subjected to the pressure of the water column. tank might then be conducted through a heater so that the apparatus will supply The air or other gas in the compressed air'in a heatedstate for driving .a turbine, or for other purposes.

The embodiment of the invention shown is only one of many which would lie within the scope of this invention and hence the claims are not limited to the specific details of arrangement and construction illustrated. i It should be understood that the dissolved gas, for instance, the carbon-dioxidreleased from the water as it flows into the standpipe may be collected for various purposes, as by conducting it off through a pipe' 82. In this connection, as a' further utility of 'theapparatus, the same may be applied to supplying gas to the gas-engine. As the carbon-'dioxld passes through the fuel bed it is converted'into carbonic-oxid, thus enriching the gas-produced by-the. producer and being carried back to the gas-engine.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I-claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In'an apparatus for segregating mixed gases, the combination of means for supplying the gaseous mixture under force or pressure, imparting rapid pulsations thereto, and delivering or lnjecting the gaseous mixture into water or other liquid adapted to elfect segregation of the constituent gases.

2. In an apparatus ofthe character described, the combination of a hydraulic compressing apparatus having a downwardlyfiowing liquid-column adapted to suck down globules of gas introduced 'thereinto and "having a gas-collecting chamber at the bottom of said column in which the gas escap-' ing from the liquid. collects, a feed-conduit or conduits 'for introducing the'gas into the said downwardly-flowing column, and means for supplying the gas under force orpressure, and means for imparting rapid intermittent pulsations to the gas, causing it'to issue in puffs into said liquid-column.

. 3. In an apparatus for segregating mixed gases'the combination of means for supply.- ing agaseous mixture, a hydraulic-apparatus containing liquid under pressure. adapted, when the gaseous mixture is in-.- jected thereinto, to dissolve .the other con-' stituent part ofthe gas and leave the segregated gas, means for collecting the segreeous mixture under force or pressure and inj ect-ing it into said liquid, and means for imarting rapid pulsations to the gas as it is orced into the liquid.

4.3111 an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a hydraulic com-v .pressing apparatus having a downwardlyflowing liquid-column adapted to suck down globules of gas introduced thereinto and. having a gas-collecting chamberat the bottom of said column in which. the gas escap ing from the liquid collects, a gas-feed-pipe having a multiplicity. of discharge orifices into the liquid column, means for supplying gas under force or pressure in said pipe, and means for rapidly intermittently interrupting the flow of gas.

, 5. The combination of a blower and pulsator. wherein the blower forces a supply of gas'through the pulsator, which latter rapidly interrupts the flow of gas intermittently, whereby a rapid series of pulsations are exerted on the gas, and a hydraulic a pparatus containing a downwardly-flowin liquid column into' which the gas is introduced from the pulsator.

6. A combined blower and pulsator comprising a blower-chamber and an adjacent chamber into which the gas is pumped or forced from the blower-chamber, communichambers and means alternately opening and termission, and a gas-pump or blower in said blower-chamber for forcing the as from a chamber.

7. A combined blower and pu'lsator comprising a blower-chamber and an adjacent chamber into which the gas is pumped or forced "from the blower-chamber, communicating opening or 'openingsbetween said chambers and means alternately opening and closing such communication with rapid intermission, said means comprising a partition disk or plate between said chambers with respect to the other, said disks having blower in said. blower chamber for forcing the gas from a suitable source of supply into saidadjacent chamber.

prising a blower-chamber and an adjacent chamber into which gas is forced from the blower-chamber, said adjacent chamberhaving an outlet conduit for delivering the gas, communicating opening or openings between said chambers and means alternately openintermission, means in said adjacent chamber. forintermittently interrupting the flow of gas therein at the intervals of communigated gas, an'd means for-supplying the gascation between the two chambers, and a gascating opening or openings between said.

closing such communication with rapid inand an adjacent disk, one being revoluble" 8. A combined blower and pulsator comsuitable source of supply into sald adjacent series of. ports which register intermittently during "the revolution, and a gas-pump or ing-and closing such communication in rapid are supply into said adjacent chamber.

ump or blower in said blower chamber for orcing the gas from a suitable source of 9. The combination of a blower-ch amher having a gas-inlet-portor passage from a source of gas-supply, or from an exhaustionchamber in communication with such source ccham er comprisin of su ply, a revolving drum-in said blowerconcentria shells and an intermediate splral-blade, said shell rotatin'lg in the direction of the front end of lade nearest said gas-inlet port, which end as well as the front ends of said shells concentric she ls and yielding? e bear against the wall. of said blower-chamber in which the gas-inlet port is provided, a slide enteri'n said wall and between said bearing against said spiral .blade, said s being so positioned that it is ap reached by the front end of the spiral bla e inv advance of the gas-inlet port, means for automatically pushing back said slide when the return convolution of the spiral blade reaches it and means for intermittently closing said gas-inlet port during the'period' when the. slide is pushedback and at least until it again bears a ainst thespiral blade.

10. The com ination with means for feed- 7 ing gas, of a hydraulic apparatus comprising a tank, a stand-pipe rising therefrom, a

pumping a paratus connected with said tank and a apted for pum ing liquid-therefrom into the top of s'ai stand-pi e, thus 11. The combination of means for supplying under force or pressure a gaseous mlX- ture containing suitable constituent gas, a hydraulic apparatus having a falling liqu d column nto whichthe gaseous mixture is injected and sucked down b thejalling liquid column, whereby one o the component elements of the 'gase'ousmixture becomes dissolved in the liquid freeing the other constituent gas, and means for liberating and collecting the segregatedgas' from the liquid;

In testimon whereof I ailix my signature, I

in presence 0 two witnesses.

CHAR-LES J. A. FIESSE. Witnesses: i i I Oscoon H. DowELL, EDWARD R. WrrMAN. 

